Rachel Shimmin discusses leading a large unitary authority, the pressures and restraints on local government organisations and how to partner with the NHS.
Buckinghamshire council is the 5th largest unitary authority in England and led by Rachel as chief executive. With responsibility for 1,300 separate statutory responsibilities Rachel describes the challenges a of meeting demand for statutory functions, balancing the budget and prioritising the legislative mandate of the Members.
The authority has seen a rise of 70% in demand for eduction, health care plans; spends 60-70% of its income on adult and children social care responsibilities and has to deliver an annual break even position to fulfill the requirements on the Council.
Partnership with the NHS works best when people are invested in each other; have mutual respect and trust between each other and understand each others’ perspective and issues. NHS organisations are key anchor institutions and contribute to the local economy.
The challenges looking ahead include 1) creating a shared common delivery approach with the NHS 2) how to fund a preventative approach, rather than waiting for people to decline our become unwell 3) making changes together without the Government respirating to structural solutions.
Final reflections on her personal impact, Rachel described - never stop and give up; be creative and work out how to do things differently.